Coal compactor rod retainer

ABSTRACT

Compacting rod retainers are disposed on both sides of a web of the compacting rods and consist each of a bushing mounted on a drive shaft eccentrically, on which a carrier is slidably engaged, and cooperating with an associated clamping wedge. The opposite side of the clamping wedge cooperates correspondingly with the web of the compacting rod, so that upon an appropriate rotary motion of the shaft the carrier is moved translating the clamping wedge pressing against the web of the compacting rod, or releasing it. Thereby area pressure is attained, which makes possible the utilization of very heavy compacting rods.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns a coke compactor for the production of acompressed cake of coal intended for coking, with rod retainersassociated with the individual compacting rods, which retain the severalrods after the compacting procedures and during the charging procedureat the upper limit of travel by means of a clamping element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

To achieve a sufficient quality of coke, the coking coals are compactedby means of free-falling compacting rods in a form provided therefor,and then placed into the coke ovens in the shape of a compacted cake ofcoal. During the charging of the coke oven the compacting rods must beretained in their upper limits of travel so that the compacted cake ofcoal can be removed from the form. Until now, the retention of theraised stamping rods was accomplished by eccentrically journaled segmentdisks which are arrayed rotatably about a horizontal axle and lieagainst the compacting rods due to their own weight. By appropriatecounterrotation of the shafts carrying the segment disks, the compactingrods are then released again, in order to be raised rhytmically andreleased for free fall by means of known devices. In the knowncompacting rod retainers, the transfer of the pressure force is effectedby the line contact between the compacting rod which is usually equippedwith a friction lining and the segment disks. The transferrable pressureforce is thus limited, so that for ovens higher than 6 m, and the longercompacting rods necessitated thereby, the likewise higher weight of thecompacting rods cannot be retained securely by the pressure force of thesegment disks.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a compacting rod retainerwhich makes a reliable operation possible with the heavier compactingrods provided for taller ovens.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the present invention, the object is achieved in that the clampingelement is formed as a bushing surrounding the shaft eccentrically, towhich a carrier is slidably engaged with an associated clamping wedgeprovided thereon and cooperating with a web of the compacting rod, theclamping wedge being secured against unwanted clamping.

By means of the implementation of the compacting rod retainer accordingto the invention, it is possible to exert high pressure forces upon theweb of the compacting rod via the carrier and clamping wedge even withsmall rotational motions of the shaft. Thereby it is to be emphasized,and is advantageous, that the transfer of forces is effected by areapressure, so that the compacting rod retainers, with less wear, will fixsignificantly heavier compacting rods in their upper end position whenthe coal cake is placed into the coke oven. The carrier engages thebushing and is fixed against rotation, and as already mentined above,can be shifted by means of very small rotations of the shaft so that theclamping element engaging the web of the compacting rod can beimmobilized, or retracted whereby the compacting rod can again bereleased for free fall.

In order to assure an effective wedge seat, it is provided according tothe invention that the carrier is arranged so as to form an upwardlyopen angle with the web of the compacting rod. Thus the clamping wedgeduring the several motions to be effected by it always dropsautomatically into the wedge seat, so that an always constant and hightransfer of forces upon the web of the compacting rod is assured. Theremoval of the compacting rod can be effected without separateloosening, that is without a separate control of the lifting device.Thus the entire lifting device construction is much simpler. Suitably,the effectiveness of the compacting rod retainers is further increasedin that the inclined surfaces at the cooperating sides of the carrierand clamping wedge are formed so as to secure a self-locking action. Bysuitable correct selection of the wedge angle or the inclined surfaces,the advantageous self-locking of the system is assured.

In order to attain a reliable fixation of the compacting rods in anyupper end position, it is provided according to the invention that witheach compacting rod, facing one another, two such clamping wedges andcarriers with the bushings connected to the shaft, and with the wedgesand carriers secured against rotation are provided. It is already knownin principle to arrange the segment disks opposite one another, but thisis done due to sheer necessity and without essentially improving thesystem. In the present case, however, the realization of the object,according to which two such clamping wedges and carriers with thebushing connected to the shaft, and with the wedges and carriers securedagainst rotation being provided with each compacting rod, causes adistinct improvement, since the system would also function if theclamping wedges and carriers were provided on one side only, and on theother side simply a support surface.

A further suitable embodiment provides that the brake plate of theclamping wedge placeable against the web of the compacting rod is formedso that it can be lengthened in the longitudinal axis of the web. Thusthe area transferring force can be increased or decreased, depending onrequirements. For increasing the clamping forces it will also beadvantageous to provide, in addition to the friction surface on the web,plate a friction surface on the brake plate. In this simple manner, theholding force can be effectively increased.

In one embodiment of the invention, a uniform operation of thecompacting rod retainer is assured in that guides arrayed lengthwise areassociated with the carrier. Thus transverse displacement of the severalelements of the compacting rod retainer is effectively prevented.

Therefor, a groove is suitably formed in the end faces, in which thegibs associated with the clamping wedge are engaged. A uniformdisplacement of the carrier and the clamping wedge is thus assured, evenwhen after long operation dirt has adhered, or the surfaces formed bythe friction lining exhibit unevenness.

In such implementation of the guiding groove, the securing of theclamping wedge in the open position of the compacting rod retainer issuitably accomplished in such manner that a key securing the clampingwedge in the open position is associated with the lower end of thegroove. The clamping wedge is thus secured against unwanted clamping inthe open position, since it is prevented simply and securely fromsliding further down by the key.

The invention is particularly distinguished by the fact that a positivesystem of compacting rod retention is created, which operates reliably,indpendent of the weight of the individual compacting rod, and whichremains fully effective after long periods of operation or appearance ofwear. This advantageous retention of compacting rods attains its highreliability particularly due to the fact that the force transfer betweenthe retainer and the web of the rods occurs due to area pressure. Thedimensions of the areas available for area pressure can be selected inaccordance with actual operating conditions, and can also be implementedadaptably.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Further details and advantages of the invention will become more evidentfrom the following description of the associated drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a compacting rod flanked by twocompacting rod retainers and

FIG. 2 is a partial cross section taken along line II--II of FIG. 1.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION

The compacting rod retainer 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is intended to fixand retain the compacting rod 2 in the form of an I-beam in its upperend position, while the coal cake is removed from its form and placedinto the coke oven. Thereby the compacting rod retainers 1 act areawiseupon the web 3 of the compacting rod 2 where depending on circumstanceseither a portion or the entire web between the two flanges 4, 5 of thecompacting rod is acted upon.

At least a pair of compacting rod retainers 1, 6 are each provided witha driven shaft 7, upon which an eccentric bushing 8 is clamped forrotation therewith. The bushing 8 is formed as a single piece andcovered on each half by cover halves 9, 10, so that an axialdisplacement of the bushing can not occur. The cover halves 9, 10 aremounted on plates 34 which are connected via fastening screws tocarriers 13 and 14. A lubricating connection or grease nipple isdesignated by 11.

The carriers 13, 14 are slidably connected to bushing 8. These carriersare formed wedge-shaped and can be displaced sideways along tracks 35 bymeans of the eccentricity of bushing 8 imparting a shuttling action tothe carriers by appropriate rotation of shaft 7. Thereby they affect theclamping wedge 15, 16 located in the wedge seat formed between sliders13, 14 and the web 3.

The respective inclined surfaces 17, 18 of the clamping wedges 15, 16and the carriers 13, 14 cooperate with one another so that the entirearrangement operates in a self-locking manner. The side portions 19, 20of the cooperating sliders 13, 14 and clamping wedges 15, 16 are formedaccordingly as inclined planes, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Guides 26 are formed on the side faces 25 of the carriers 13, 14 and theclamping wedges 15, 16. Thereby a uniform sliding of the two elements onone another is assured, whereby guide 26 is suitably formed by a groove27 formed in carriers 13, 14 engaged by a gib 28 associated withclamping wedge 15, 16. This gib is detachably connected to clampingwedge 15 or 16 via holding screws 29, so that the assembly of the entirecompactor retainer system is facilitated.

An undesired clamping of the clamping wedge 15, 16 is prevented by thefact that the grooves 27 are provided with a key 33 which prevents toofar a shifting of the clamping wedge simply and reliably. In place ofthe key 33 it is also possible to provide alternately an end stop whichlocks the clamping wedge, or to stop the clamping wedge in a differentmanner in a predetermined position. Therefor FIG. 1 provides, inaddition to the implementation of the key, that alternately, eyebolts 23are associated with the clamping wedges, on which the cable 22 passingover return roller 21 is held and secured. On the other side, the cableis fastened to eye bolt 24 on the housing, so that too far a drop of theclamping wedge 15, 16 beyond the position predetermined by the length ofcable 22 is prevented as shown in dot-dash lines.

The area with which the clamping wedges 15, 16 act upon web 3 of thecompacting rod 2 is predetermined by brake plates 30, 31. These plates30, 31 are connected to the other portions of the clamping wedge 15, 16,as is indicated in FIG. 2, by welding beads. However, it is alsopossible to fasten these plates 30, 31 detachably on clamping wedges 15,16, so that, if required by a need for greater area pressure, they canbe exchanged and replaced by larger ones.

For increasing the holding ability of the brake plates 30 and 31,friction surfaces in the form of respective brake shoes 30' and 31' canbe provided.

I claim:
 1. A compacting rod retainer for a coal compactor,comprising:an upright compacting rod in the form of an I-beam; a pair ofcompacting rod retainers disposed on opposite sides of said rod, andeach said retainer comprising:a rotatable drive shaft, a bushingeccentrically mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, a linearlyreciprocatable carrier engaging said bushing in a non-rotatable mannerand extending transversely thereof, and a clamping wedge slidablymounted on said carrier and juxtaposed with a web of said rod, wherebyupon rotation of said shaft and the associated bushing, said carrier isdisplaced towards said compacting rod to engage said web with said wedgeor to release said web from engagement with said wedge.
 2. The retainerdefined in claim 1 wherein said wedge is mounted on said carrier along afirst surface formed on said wedge and a second surface formed on saidcarrier, said first and second surfaces being inclined to said web at anupwardly open angle, whereby the engagement of said web by said wedge isself-locking.
 3. The retainer defined in claim 1 wherein said wedge isprovided with a brake plate engageable with said web, said brake platebeing extendable in a longitudinal direction of said rod.
 4. Theretainer defined in claim 3 wherein said brake plate is provided with afriction surface engageable with said web.
 5. The retainer defined inclaim 2 wherein a guide is provided adjacent the mounting surfaces ofsaid wedge and said carrier for slidably holding said wedge on saidcarrier.
 6. The retainer defined in claim 5 wherein said guide comprisesa groove formed in each sideface of said carrier adjacent the secondsurface and inclined at said upwardly open angle and at least one gibmounted on each sideface of said wedge adjacent the first surface andslidably engaging the respective groove on said carrier.
 7. The retainerdefined in claim 6 wherein a key is provided in a lower end of at leastone of said grooves and engageable by the respective gib thereof forpreventing said gib from sliding out of said groove in an unengagedposition of said wedge and said web.